Who would win a North vs. Conner sailing final?

The Greatest American Sailor contest staged by US Sailing over the last couple months was an interesting idea.

Sixty-four of the nation’s top competition sailors were seeded and placed into a bracket that was styled after the NCAA basketball tournament.

US Sailing then set up a website where people could vote on-line. Each week, votes were cast for a round with the fields being reduced to 32, 16, eight, four, two and finally the “Greatest American Sailor.”

Voters were allowed to cast only one vote a week, although that meant voting for 32 skippers the first week, 16 the second . . . all the way down to the championship match last week.

With help from a late push by San Diego voters – triggered in part by two UT-San Diego stories and a television report – Dennis Conner was named “The Greatest American Sailor,” winning the title by a 60-40 margin over Buddy Melges. More than 2,600 votes were cast.

Personally, I have no problem with the outcome. The best sailor won.

However, it would have been interesting to see what the final vote would have been had Lowell North defeated Melges in the semifinals – setting up an all-San Diego Conner vs. North finals.

Conner’s resume goes well beyond his four America’s Cup wins. He also won three Southern Ocean Racing Conference titles, skippered a boat in the Whitbread Around The World race, won two Congressional Cup match racing title and was a champion in a variety of one-design classes. The depth, variety and weight of his victories are second to none.

But North is an icon, who is known as both as champion on the water and a visionary off it. A perfectionist, North created the North Sails empire while winning Olympic gold and bronze medals, four Star Worlds titles and placing second in five other Star Worlds.

North is also a beloved figure who has long held a special spot in the hearts of the West Coast sailing community. Many view North as the greatest sailor who ever lived. In the 1950s and ‘60s, North took on the sport’s eastern establishment and won.

It would have been interesting to see how the local votes would split in a Conner vs. North match. Both, plus Melges, were members of the inaugural class inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame inducted during ceremonies at San Diego Yacht Club last year.

Conner probably would have gotten the nod based on hard facts and achievements. But other factors could have pushed North over the top. Votes from this Mecca of sailing would have been split.

The other intriguing fact about the “Greatest American Sailor” contest was how the bracket, which was drawn by a panel of sailing experts, showed just how strong the sport is in San Diego.

Three of the four No. 1 seeds were San Diegans – Conner, North and Mark Reynolds. Melges was the fourth.

Ten of the 64 spots in the field went to San Diegans. In addition to the three No. 1 seeds, the field included Robbie Haines, Peter Isler, Vince Brun, J.J. Fetter, Bill Hardesty, Malin Burnham and George Szabo.

San Diego Yacht & Boat Show

The National Marine Manufacturers Association has taken over the production of the annual San Diego Yacht and Boat Show, which will be held at the Sheraton Marina on Harbor Island July 26-29.

The NMMA formerly ran the annual Boat Show at the Convention Center each January. The San Diego Yacht & Boat Show started eight years ago and features a variety of in-the-water displays as well as dockside exhibits.

Although yachts up to 80 feet are featured in the show’s in-the-water exhibit, the show includes everything from paddle sports to kayaks, to ski and wakeboard boats to luxury yachts.

Villwock triumphs

Dave Villwock last Sunday won his 10th Gold Cup at Detroit, Mich., which doubled to the opener of the Unlimited Hydroplane season. Steve David’s Oh Boy! Oberto was second to Villwoock’s Spirit of Qatar.